Apple: Stop using dangerous USB-C cables

Apple and Google are both making major progress to protect consumers who plug in their devices through USB.

We all know you can pick up a cheap USB-C, Lightning, or Micro-USB cable just about anywhere. Of course, when you buy these cables, you usually get what you pay for. Whether it’s cables that can’t handle the electrical throughput, or ones designed by hackers to steal information from someone’s smart device, these cables can be dangerous. Dangerous USB-C cables are something Apple has been warning users about for years and yet, millions of people still purchase them.

Despite that, the Cupertino company is taking even more measures to protect consumers from dangerous USB-C cables. Apple, along with other members of the USB Implementer’s Forum, have announced plans for a new authentication program for USB-C cables. The program itself works from a host machine. That host machine will follow a series of steps to verify if the cable is authentic or not. They are:

The cable gets plugged into the host device.

Host device will scan cable to see if it complies within the authentication restrictions

If the cable doesn’t meet expectations, no data transfers will occur through said cable.

Though, power to charge a device could travel through the cable, but at a lower frequency.

Apple and Google are both making major progress to protect consumers who plug in their devices through USB. Apple introduced a feature in iOS 12 called USB Restricted Mode. This feature controls what information is accessed when the device is locked. Google is introducing a similar feature in its ChromeOS where USB-C ports will be unusable while the device is locked. Even with that, an authentication program will help consumers better protect their information.

Do you use cheap USB-C cables? Are you worried about your device’s information being stolen? Let us know in the comments below or on Google+, Twitter, or Facebook. You can also comment on our MeWe page by joining the MeWe social network.

About Techaeris

Techaeris was founded in 2013 by Alex Hernandez who is the Editor-In-Chief and Owner. Techaeris is fast becoming your new source for technology news, technology reviews and all things geek/nerd entertainment related. We cover movies, comics, books, gaming, tech and industry news all in one clean place.